Powerline Drummers return to Birkie
Saturday February 25
Hey People make some noise……..at this year’s American Birkebeiner
If you are not otherwise engaged as a skier, volunteer or spectator, consider joining us on Birkie Saturday February 25th as part of the Power Line Drummers group. We have enjoyed doing this for decades. You and all fun loving others are welcome to join us this year.
A special thank you to the Landmark Conservancy for their gracious permission for the Powerline Drummers to set up on the Telemark Forest Preserve land. Learn more about their regional advocacy and support the Telemark Forest Preserve by visiting here:
https://landmarkwi.org/telemark-forest-preserve/
Our drumming spot is located two power poles in on the power line up from Randysek Road near the North End Cabin. This is accessible off of Randysek Road south of Cable.
The Spirit of 35 is the first wave to go off at 8:15 a.m. followed quickly by the top classic and elite waves. The last wave launches at 10:00 a.m. If you stay for the entire show, we will be done drumming by 10:30 a.m. or so. New this year due to route changes we will not see the classic technique skiers at our Powerline Drumming station.
Complete Birkie info found here:
Pandemic cautions – We want everyone to come out of this as healthy as they came into it so take whatever masking or social distancing precautions that make you comfortable.
Arrival Time If you are coming to join us, please be in place by 8:00 a.m. The skiers are skiing toward us and by us. We will all need to walk in before the race begins or the ski traffic will be impeded by our presence on the trail which we want to avoid at all costs. Skiers will reach our drumming spot quickly after the 8:15 first wave start.
Important Traffic Info- All unauthorized traffic will be stopped at Philipi Road on Randysek just south of Cable. You MUST HAVE a “Power Line Drummers Access Pass” provided by the ABSF to get through the road closure to our drumming spt. Thank you to the ABSF for providing our group with the required pass.
Please contact me (Gary C) directly at cheqfat@cheqnet.net for your vehicle pass. I can email you a pdf file of the pass. Please don’t wait to the last minute on this. Pass the word on the need for a pass to others who might want to join.
Directions From Cty Hwy M in Cable near the Brick House Café (sad to say the Brick House was lost in a fire this winter) drive south on Randysek toward the North End Ski Club cabin. Just before reaching the North End Cabin parking lot, you will cross under a power line.
If your car can make it up the plowed road up to the power line you can park up there because there is no longer a food stop there as before. You will need good traction to get up the hill. If you have any doubt about climbing the short, snowy incline do not attempt to park on top of the hill.
You can also park a bit further down in the plowed area at the North End Cabin if you don’t think you can make it up the hill. Do not block Randysek Road – park only in the wider spots that have been plowed.
PLEASE NOTE last minute snow conditions can alter whether or not you can get up to park under the power line.
Walk in two power poles north toward the start line and we will be set up on the west (left) side of the trail in front of the power line pole. Stay to the side of the trail and don’t trample the classic tracks.
Make some noise Bring some sort of percussion or other appropriate noise maker. To keep with tradition no musical talent or prior rehearsal is required - just a desire to support the thousands of skiers with your noise and enthusiasm and the genetic ability to wing it.
If you have other questions let me know - Here is a short You Tube clip of the skiers going by our drumming group in 2012. This is an old clip and note the skiers do not ski by us on both sides anymore just the east (right) side of the trail.
Please pass this along to others who might be interested.